The new Savage B.MAG rifle is a completely new compact rimfire bolt-action gun designed specifically for the new .17 Winchester Super Magnum cartridge. The .17 WSM is a rimfire round that is capable of speeds to an amazing 3,000 fps. Click here for more on this new cartridge.
The B.MAG is an entirely new rifle, not merely a warmed-over existing rimfire gun. According to Bill Dermody of Savage, there are “exactly zero” parts on the B.Mag that interchange with the company’s other rimfire rifles. In fact, Dermody suggested that the features of this new rifle more closely resemble their centerfire cartridge rifle line than the rimfire line.
This rifle uses a short action bolt with rear locking lugs for additional strength to handle the higher pressure .17 WSM. The rifle also has a “cock on close” action and hidden action screws.
Savage B.Mag Specifications
| Caliber | 17 WSM |
| Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Barrel Length | 22″ |
| Overall Length | 40.5″ |
| Rate of Twist | 1:9 RH |
| MSRP at Launch | $349 |
| MSRP (current) | $429 |
The B.MAG uses a thread-in headspacing system that is very similar to the more expensive centerfire rifles in the Savage catalog. According to Savage reps at the SHOT Show, this headspacing system significantly enhances accuracy.
The B.MAG comes with the extremely popular AccuTrigger, which is a user-adjustable trigger that Savage uses on most of their rifles above the entry-level, budget guns. It does not require special tools for adjustment by the owner.
An eight-round, rotary magazine is standard on this rifle. The magazine is detachable and feeds from the center of the mag. It should be a relatively simple thing to make a larger capacity magazine, but there are no announced plans to do so. An extended magazine might be of some benefit to varmint hunters who are eliminating large numbers of pests at long range. I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like the Hot Lips magazines for the 10/22 from Butler Creek.
A black synthetic stock is standard with a matte blued finish on the metal parts. A soft rubber butt pad caps the end of the stock. The B.MAG doesn’t have a lot of recoil, but the rubber butt pad is still a nice addition.
The B.MAG has a 22″ barrel. According to one Savage rep I spoke to, the total weight of the guns should be less than 4.5 pounds when the guns ship. Specific information on the barrel (twist rate, etc.) has not yet been announced. At the time of this writing, the gun is not yet listed on the Savage website.
Considering the speeds, and therefore pressures, the new .17 Winchester Super Magnum is generating, I am not surprised that this rifle might more resemble a centerfire gun than a rimfire. The Savage B.MAG certainly appears to be built with safety and durability in mind.
According to Dermody, the Savage B.MAG is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2013. Talking to Winchester Ammunition reps, they were certain the guns and ammunition would be hitting Walmart shelves by the first week of April. The suggested retail price of the rifle is $349. While a bit more than many rimfire rifles, the price is certainly more affordable than most centerfire cartridge rifles.
Updated: April 3, 2022
14 replies on “Savage B.MAG Rifle – .17 Winchester Super Magnum”
Well, now we have anther gun on the market (if you can find one) and no ammo to shoot in it. The ammo is harder to find than the gun. I lucked out and got one as it came in to Walmart then found several boxes of the ammo at two different sporting goods shops. It never ceases to amaze me when guns and ammo manufacturers introduce something then wait months to get it onto the shelves. Those dealers who do have the gun or the ammo generally jack the price up considerably.(not Walmart) Walmart on the other hand is not shipping the ammo to their stores so that makes finding it at a reasonable price is quite difficult. I guess the manufacturers know that we customers get excited (I did) and will do whatever it takes to get the product. Now that I have the gun at a very reasonable price and ammunition also fairly reasonable, I will sit back and wait for the prices to come down.
If they ever do.
Jim Cox
Interesting gun. It definitely pushes the rimfire far beyond anything I would have expected as possible.
Prettiest rim fire cartridge I’ve ever seen! Only wish that savage would meet the obligation to Winchester by having the b-mags on the retailers shelves as they said they would? The second quarter has passed!
Well, I got one of the rifles and love it in spite of a flaw I see with the bolt action. That being the bolt handle is too close to the grip and gets in the way. You have to be careful or you will knock the bolt upward when not intending to do so. As for them being readily available, well, surely Savage can do better with production. The other major problem is that he ammo is very scarce. If you can find it at Walmart it is very reasonably priced at $14.97 per box of fifty. You can buy only three boxes per day. They don’t last that long because they don’t get but a few boxes at a time! But, other places are gouging the consumer charging anywhere from $21.00 to $50.00+ per box when they have it. Winchester needs to get on the ball and get the ammo on the shelves at a reasonable price. Maybe then Savage will also step up production. It is the same od game every time something new comes out.